DMS Principal Notes

Treat others as you want to be treated.  Dream big and believe in yourself.  Appreciate everyone; mock no one.  Practice the power of positive gossip. 

These are the challenges presented to our students and staff during Wednesday's Rachel's Challenge program at the PAC.  We had a one hour program about Rachel Scott, the first student killed at the Columbine HS shooting 10 years ago.  In Rachel's short 17 years of life, she firmly believed that a single act of kindness can start a chain reaction touching many people's lives.  Our students were given the above challenges to live by.  They have begun creating our own Dahlstrom "chain" of kindness.  The students are writing on strips of paper an act of kindness done by them or to them.  We hope to encircle the cafeteria with our chain!  Here are a few of the comments they have written:

"I became friends with the new kid.  I stopped a bully.  I hugged a person who was crying.  Let no one down!  I partnered with someone in class who is usually partner-less!  Believe in yourself and never give up!  Everyone was making fun of the new student, but I was nice to him.  I mowed my neighbor's lawn because he is handicapped.  I collected school supplies for kids who couldn't afford them.  I became friends with the bully who was bullying me!  I sat with someone who was alone at a big table.  Don't point out people's flaws.  Help them to overcome them.  I gave food to a friend when he forgot his lunch.  I sacrificed 1/3 of my lunchtime to pick up trash off the floor after Social Studies without being asked.  You changed my life."

Today, Friday, October 9th will be the first of our bi-weekly meetings of the newly established Friend of Rachel (FOR) club for students who would like to continue the chain reaction of kindness.  Students will work as a group to facilitate, create, and maintain a welcoming, safe campus filled with kindness and compassion.  FOR will begin by meeting during all three lunch  periods and with input from students, they will decide when is the best time to meet.  Mr. Larry Hufford has volunteered to head up this group for the year.  If you would like to be involved, please contact him at jhufford@austin.rr.com.   He welcomes all parents who would like to be a part of the wonderful program.

There is no school on Monday, October 12.  Students will return on Tuesday for a short school week.